2 August 2019 – TogetHER made our first awards under the Cervical Cancer Grants Program this summer, a contribution toward ending an estimated 311,000 women’s deaths annually from cervical cancer. We have the tools to end cervical cancer—a vaccine to prevent the disease, and safe and effective screening for and treatment of pre-cancer. These deaths are unacceptable. 

Launched in spring 2019, the Cervical Cancer Grants Program provides small, highly-targeted grants to strengthen adoption of cervical cancer primary and secondary prevention technologies by generating evidence that speeds wider product access and uptake. 

In its first round, TogetHER is supporting two grantees to introduce thermal ablation in Africa and Central America.  Both grants will run for a one-year period. 

• In Botswana, Jhpiego will introduce thermal ablation at four high-volume health facilities in Gabarone district. Routine data collection and qualitative assessments with providers and clients will generate key information about the feasibility and acceptability of treatment using thermal ablation. Experience from the project will be shared at a national level to inform a structured model on integrating and expanding thermal ablation in Botswana. 

• In Nicaragua, MoviCancer Foundation will also implement thermal ablation in three regions of the country, evaluating the procedure’s impact on treatment, as well as its feasibility and acceptability among providers and clients. At the national level, the award will fund development of a protocol for the use of thermal ablation, as well as advocacy activities to support national adoption. 

These awards were selected from a competitive field of 26 applications, representing 20 countries. Applicants included community-based organizations and international non-governmental organizations proposing innovative ideas on HPV vaccination, enhanced visual assessment during screening, self-sampling, and loop electrosurgical procedures. 

TogetHER is inspired by the dedication and vision of the advocates, healthcare providers, and researchers who applied for this round of funding under the Cervical Cancer Grants Program. It underscores our belief that catalytic resources in these communities can make change. We’re privileged to support these efforts and look forward to welcoming further innovative proposals during future rounds of funding. 

Byline: Petra Stankard